“The Masters is world renowned, and it’s something we haven’t done before, and the media has been fantastic. It takes golf into the spotlight. I think it really lifted people, here in Queensland in particular with the two guys going so well. That was a morale-booster for people. In the office here we were standing around the TV and hopefully one would win.
“I think it will make a difference. My experience is people participate more in, say tennis, around the time of the Australian Open. We would hope that those people who become interested at that time would continue to play. I’d hope that also happens with golf. Certainly Adam Scott presents a great role model for kids. It’s definitely something young kids look at, they have their heroes and they aspire to be just like them. That happens at a younger age, and what you hope is – not all of them will become Adam Scotts – but that they will go on and have a lifelong interest in golf.’’
Lindsay Ellis, chief executive Golf Queensland.
"For every golf fan out there the masters is the pinnacle event. To have Adam Scott win when no other Australian has is so inspiring. Adam has Greg Norman and Karrie Webb to thank for setting the platform for himself and other golfers like Stacey Keating, Jason Day and Kristie Smith. Now it is their turn to do the same for the next generation…..I can’t wait."
Carlie Butler, Vice president of ALPG
“We were all cheering. It was awesome, great to watch. It definitely made me get up the next morning and practice, and want to be in his shoes, you know? It was awesome.’’
Cameron Smith, Australian Amateur Champion
“My gut feeling is that this could be a turning point for golf. We hope it sparks some interest like the Norman era, and if Adam Scott can even deliver 50 percent of what Greg Norman has delivered to the sport nationally, that would be great for our game and great for our facility. We’re seen as a bit of an absence in the market, that real grassroots level, getting away from that elite level. We’re focussed on growing the game through juniors, women, beginners and so on, so I think it’s going to be great. Adam Scott’s win will drive some of those programs for us.’’
Moore Park’s general manager, Erich Weber.
"Even those that say golf is boring, were made to eat their words as we watched the drama unfold, the pressure increase minute by minute, and the outcome finally decided in a most emphatic way. This compelling drama, viewed by millions of sport lovers around the world showcased the many qualities and facets that make the game of golf so great. At a time when the integrity of many other sports is under question for drugs use and match fixing, etc. golf is shining bright. The events of this week will give golf and its profile a wonderful boost, and we should all look to make the most of the opportunities that result."
Stuart Fraser, CEO – Golf NSW
“From a tournament perspective, to have Adam come and play tournaments, we’re lucky to have him. It helps that tournament. You get people interested, corporate hospitality, sponsors want to connect with him, it’s more positive for TV ratings. It has an effect, there’s no doubt. You need depth and you need quality. When you get major winners – I’ve said it before – it’s the greatest thing you can have.
“We’ve got most of the basics in place and there’s no doubt we’ve got these young kids who are interested. We’ve got great courses, cheap golf. We just need to get the right drivers around the country to keep pushing the kids. And they’ll get there. There’s no doubt they will get there.’’
Trevor Herden, Golf Australia’s Director of Championships
“He was born in Adelaide, so I think everyone here is really pleased to see him succeed. Like Adam Scott said after his win, it’s moments like these that inspire younger golfers to keep working on their game. We think it’s going to be a real boost for golf in Australia.’’
Dominic Fitzsimons, recreation manager at Adelaide Shores public course
“There’s some hype and people who aren’t really into golf are talking about it. They know Adam Scott, they know he’s a great ambassador for sport. They see it as a great thing for golf. An Australian finally climbing that Everest, hopefully there are follow-on effects in coverage of the sport and raising the profile of the sport, getting it into the minds of people. We hope to get more people playing our great sport.’’
Jason DeAraujo, secretary, Golf Northern Territory
“Some people are going to be complacent and think ‘now we’ve got someone who won the Masters, we’ll be on the front page’. Everyone thinks it’s going to be the silver bullet. It would be great to think that Adam winning could do for golf what Cadel Evans has done for cycling in the last couple of years. But in cycling they also had people like Robbie McEwen and Mick Rogers as well and they’ve been battling away for years. But it’d be great to think this is an injection of profile that golf needed. We’ve got to take advantage of it as an industry.
“We’re always battling the higher-profile sports for coverage. Dare I say (Essendon coach) James Hird gets a back page photograph just because he’s coming out his door to go to an ASADA hearing. The issue for me is that the people in golf know about it, understand it, know how fantastic it is. Those who are outside of it, it’s getting them to understand the level of achievement that this is and motivating others to become fanatics.
“Adam’s done the hard work, won the tournament and great for him. If we’re going to take advantage of it the hard work starts now, and dare I say some smart thinking and some smart investment is required.’’
Craig French, general manager Golf Tasmania
“Our time sheets into next week are filling faster than they ordinarily would. The biggest thing for Australian golf is that the sport is on the radar; it’s in mainstream media and the public radar. People who ordinarily wouldn’t be thinking about golf or talking about golf are doing that. I think it’s important that the industry as a whole maintains or extends that enthusiasm for the sport for as long as we can, because it’s golf’s turn to shine. We have to take advantage of the ripple effects of that.’’
“I was not so much surprised but very humbled and pleased that the number of people in the community who play golf has been widely unrecognised by the community for many years. In the industry people know it and the various bodies do their best to promote it as Australia’s no. 1 participation sport. The wider community hasn’t recognised that, so I was pleased more than surprised that it was getting the recognition among those history-making sporting moments. It’s been recognised in the media as one of Australia’s greatest sporting moments.
“The industry is so diverse, from retail to public golf to private courses to professional services not just in coaching, the whole retail and manufacturing industries that glean off it, it’s so diverse and so this particular achievement of Adam Scott’s would have a galvanising effect, one would hope. We need to be more interactive and have a stronger interrelationship. Hopefully it has a galvanising effect so the industry takes advantage of the outcomes from that.’’
Dayle Marshall, manager of business development, Yarra Bend Golf Club, Melbourne
“He (Scott) is a very easy sell. He’s good-looking, technically he’s very good, he’s got charisma, he speaks well. From a marketing standpoint, he’s great for golf. if you look at Jason Day, he’s had three top-two finishes in majors and he’s 25 years old. Our job is to produce more of those athletes. This year was good with someone like Matt Steiger and Oliver Goss winning professional tournaments, which hasn’t happened in Australia for years. I think the last was Aaron Baddeley winning the Australian Open (in 1999).
“We had good wins at tier two level, which are good indicators for future success. What that success did and what Jake Higginbottom did and Steiger did, was ‘if Oliver can do it on a tier two level, I can win out there as well’. Hopefully that works its way up. ‘If Adam Scott can win a major, I can win a major as well’.’’
Brad James, head of Golf Australia’s High Performance program
“This will help us, because it’s a talking point. Anyone can relate to what happens in the game at any level. This is the pull factor that we need because an event like that, the ratings and exposure you couldn’t ask for more.
“It’s a cluttered market. Every sport’s trying to get in there. With MyGolf, that’s an important strategy and this will help that. Parents and kids and teachers can relate to that. ‘Look what a young man can achieve in the game’. We’ve got to have that point of difference and that’s the values that the game brings and it’s a game for life. That’s what we have to capitalise on.’’
Cameron Wade, head of Golf Australia’s game development department
“It’s an historic win for Australian golf and for Australian sport. We have gone through the heartbreak so many times before at Augusta and to have Adam make the breakthrough is awe-inspiring.
"We’re so proud of Adam, of the way he played down the stretch and his tenacity in the play-off. Jason Day, Marc Leishman and John Senden all played superbly and flew the flag proudly for Australia. It’s a wonderful day for Australian sport and we’re absolutely thrilled to see the Green Jacket on Australian shoulders at last.’’
Stephen Pitt, Chief Executive Officer, Golf Australia
“I heard people on radio who don’t play the game discussing it. It’s increased the awareness, there’s no doubt; it’s what we can do to capitalise on it.’’
“Hopefully the drive comes from Golf Australia. Hopefully they’re in a position to do it. I know in WA we’re ramping up our promotion of our events and activities and widening our activities in schools. We’ll be able to use this as a vehicle for kids ‘do you want to be the next Adam Scott?’ The whole thing has struck a chord like Cadel Evans did with cycling, and the America’s Cup. It’s a matter for all of us now to keep the fires burning, keep promoting the game and from our point of view we have people like Minjee Lee and Brady Watt on an amateur level. We get some coverage for that and it’s a big chance to sell the game.’’
Gary Thomas, Chief Executive Golf WA
By: Martin Blake (Golf Australia)